Researchers create chipless RFID tags for reflective surfaces

Researchers from the Australian Monash University have developed a printable, chipless RFID tag that also functions on metal objects and on packaging containing a liquid. Previously, the latter was not possible due to the interference of metals and liquids.

The university writes this on its website. The tags can be printed on reflective surfaces with an inkjet printer. According to Nemai Karmakar of the research group, the tags are the first printable, chipless RFID tags for paper and plastics. The latter would make them more reliable, smaller and more cost-effective than any other barcode system, Karmakar believes.

The rfid tag operates in the 60GHz frequency range, which means the tags can be much smaller than other existing chipless rfid tags. Despite the small size, the tags can contain a lot of information.

Maintaining the print resolution when printing on paper and plastic was the most difficult, according to the researchers, although there is a margin of error. The material from which the tag is printed can be used in cryogenic conditions as well as at temperatures above eighty degrees Celsius.

The development of these tags is interesting because the barcode can then become redundant. At the moment it is not yet possible to scan a shopping cart in one go by means of rfid. Perhaps that will come closer with the development of other printing inks.

The research is part of a research project into printable RFID tags for plastic banknotes. The entire study should be completed in 2016.